The Executioner

(Verse 1) The gallows creak like an old church door, Midnight whispers, "One life more." I sharpen steel where the moonlight bleeds, A shadow’s wage is a shadow’s need. (Pre-Chorus) They call me cruel, they call me cold, But who am I to judge the souls? The king points, the priest decrees— I’m just the blade between the leaves. (Chorus) Swing low, swing true, The rope don’t care if it’s me or you. The crowd will cheer, the bells will toll, But the hangman’s hands are never whole. (Verse 2) The widow spits where my boots stand still, Her curse hangs heavier than the hill. I count the knots in the noose’s weave, One for the living, one for the grieve. (Bridge) A child once asked me, "Does it hurt?" I showed him the callus where the handle rubs. "Not like you think," is all I said, Before I tucked him back in bed. (Chorus) Swing low, swing true, The rope don’t care if it’s me or you. The crowd will cheer, the bells will toll, But the hangman’s hands are never whole. (Outro) One day they’ll knot it tight for me, Same blind justice, same old tree. The next fool’ll wipe his brow and pray— Then pull the lever anyway.